THE KIDS WANT A DOG Whether you want a pet for pleasure as part of the family or as security for the house there are some thoughts to consider: Having a pet can cost a significant amount of money. Even if your dog stays healthy, there's always the daily diet and an annual visit to the vet to provide its annual booster shot (CHPL and Rabies). In addition, the purchase of the animal represents a significant sum if from a breeder and not insignificant if from a shelter because it must be vaccinated and tattooed in accordance with the law before you leave for adoption.

Choosing your pet:

Deciding whether you prefer a puppy or adult dog. Both options have advantages and disadvantages that should not be taken lightly.
A puppy can be mischievous and playful but will be easier to teach as long as you do it properly.  But remember it won’t stay a little puppy.
An adult dog has already lost his wacky side and will make less mess, but it has begun to develop its character and may need help to settle, perhaps with a dog trainer.
For a dog from a breeder, conforming to the breed standard, you must learn about the general character of the breed and its physiological needs in terms of diet and exercise.
A dog from a shelter will be calmer and more sociable (used to being surrounded by other animals) but maybe more apprehensive and you will not know any of his medical history..
Finally, a non-pedigree dog will normally be much stronger healthwise and will generally live longer than a "pure breed" who can be much more vulnerable to disease.

You must choose your pet according to your environment and your character, not just because you like the look of the animal.  Each race has a special character and different needs in terms of space and exercise.

Therefore, a nervous person should avoid taking a hyperactive dog, but rather a calm dog ... and vice versa.
The space at home is also an important factor.  Obviously we would not take a Newfoundland dog to live on the fifth floor of a block of flats, or a Husky without having well fenced land and the time available to run 10 – 12 kilometres per day.

We must learn to integrate the dog into the family:

When you first have your dog at home do not leave the dog in the house unattended, especially if you have children or another dog. You should know that the dog sees the family as a pack where he must find his place. The head of the family must behave as the pack leader and put the rules in place for the newcomer. It may sound complicated, but there are simple rules to apply.  For more information, see our frequently asked questions.